UK exports less food to EU since brexit

The United Kingdom (UK) exported 17% less food to the European Union in 2021 than in 2019, the last year before brexit. Meat and dairy exports fell by more than 20%. This is according to figures from the British Agricultural Bureau (BAB).

The UK exported food and live animals worth €16.76 billion in 2021, of which €10.75 billion was to the EU. The total export value of UK food and animals was still over €19.1 billion in 2019

The steepest decline in exports to Europe applies to the relatively small UK export markets of fruit, vegetables and sugar, with a drop of 37 per cent. Dairy exports (including eggs) fell 20 per cent and meat lost 21 per cent. BAB believes that UK exports are now at a 'new normal' level.

Imports grow slowly

UK imports from the EU fell 13 per cent in the same period, compared with a 4 per cent increase from the rest of the world. BAB notes that imports from the EU are slowly growing again, but are still not at pre-coronapandemic and brexit levels.

Nieuweoogst.nl

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